India

There is something freeing about being on holiday. It’s not just the sense of freedom away from the normal annoyances of the rat race back home; it’s a sense of limitless possibilities. We’ve all gone away and found ourselves entranced by the wares on offer, depleting our travel fund within the first few days because we just can’t resist the urge to splurge. And given it’s usually a treat you only get a couple of times a year, where’s the harm?

If you’re going to shop, then you might as well travel to somewhere where the shops on offer are truly amazing. Fashion fans might be well accustomed to buying online or juggling the cost of shipping, but nothing will ever compare to being in a fashion-forward place and sampling the goods before you buy. Endless rows of high-end, high-quality luxury for you to run your hands over and consider buying, all accompanied by that sense of freedom from the norm that makes travelling such a delight.

While it’s perhaps not the best idea to make your desire to shop a sole reason for visiting an area, there are ways and means of combining all the things you want. Below are a list of destinations that make for truly spectacular destinations no matter what your reason for going, but have an extra something for the fashion conscious to enjoy as well!

Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Located on the Kowloon Peninsula and overlooking Victoria Bay, there’s no doubt about it: Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the most popular destinations in Hong Kong. Imagine looking at that technicolour wonderland from the window of your Tsim Sha Tsui hotel, thinking of all the stores that are just waiting for you to visit.

Oh, and what stores! Hong Kong has cornered the luxury end of the market well, with plenty of high-end brands setting up stores around the country, but particularly in the tourist-rich Tsim Sha Tsui. Not only that, but there’s plenty of authentic local markets to indulge yourself with too.

There’s no doubt about it; if we’re talking fashionable destinations, then it’s impossible not to mention Italy as a whole, but specifically Milan.

The city manages to meld together the old – such as the Duomo di Milano as pictured above – with the new in impressive ways. The ancient streets and old-world charm sit alongside the exciting fashion brands that have made the city home, especially during the annual Fashion Week. There’s plenty to explore both in terms of the shopping and the history, so whether you make it a weekend break or stay for longer, there’s no doubt you’ll find something to delight in Milan.

Finally, a few words on the newcomer to the fashionista’s destination list: Dubai. The souks are some of the most intriguing and beautiful shopping experiences you can find, offering an insight into the rich culture that surrounds this area.

If you’d prefer to stick to known labels, then the Dubai Mall is everything that you could need under one roof. The huge mall – which comes complete with its own indoor aquarium – is home to all the big, high-end designers, as well as outlets and smaller boutiques that you could spend your entire stay exploring. Do try and catch some of the local culture too, of course, but there’s more than enough here to get you flexing your credit cards!

We have all been there: holding onto a pair of shoes that are well past their sell-by-date. Your shoes are literally ready to fall apart, but you don’t want to let go because they are your favourite pair. So, how do you make your favourite shoes last forever? We have some top tips to ensure you can wear your gorgeous shoes for years and years to come.

Apply moisturizer to your leather shoes – Moisturizing your shoes may seem a little weird, but it can do leather shoes the world of good. It helps to stop potential cracking that occurs due to damage from the elements. And, when we say moisturizer, we mean a quality shoe cream – not the one you use on your body! Stay away from shoe creams that sit on top of the leather. These products are only a temporary solution. Instead, you need a cream that will absorb into the leather, nourishing your shoes and keeping them fresh.

Use a shoehorn – If you are trying to put on shoes that have laces, it is unlikely that you will be able to do this effortlessly. You often need to put in a little bit of work to get the shoes on. This can result in the bottom of your foot crunching the hell collar while you work your fingers in, and this can cause damage to the shoes. Instead, keep your heel collars in good condition by using a shoehorn whenever you put your shoes on.

Store your shoes correctly – It does not matter whether you have expensive or cheap shoes, you need to store them correctly if you are to make sure they last. Don’t just throw your shoes into your closet, as this can lead to scratching and other damage. It is also important to keep your shoes away from sunlight, as this can cause the material to fade.

Fix any problems immediately – If there are any problems, deal with them immediately. Soles become irreparably uneven, breaks widen, and stains deepen. Acting fast is the key to ensuring your shoes live a long and healthy life.

Make sure you wear shoes that are right for your feet – In order for your shoes to last for a long time, they need to be right for your feet. If you have any type of foot condition,Shoe Finale can point you in the right direction. You will be able to find shoes that minimize discomfort and pain while also fitting your foot like a dream so that there is less chance of them wearing quicker than expected.

Spray with a water repellent – You should always spray your shoes with water repellent. This is a great way to ensure your shoes are protected from the elements, and so waterproofing is especially important when winter starts to approach.

Stuff your shoes with newspaper – There are a number of different reasons why you should stuff your shoes with newspaper. This includes preserving their shape, preventing dry rot, drying them out if they get wet, and alleviating odor. Who knew newspaper could be so beneficial?

Don’t put your shoes in the washing machine – This is especially important for canvas shoes. A lot of people are tempted to toss them in the washing machine and then the tumble dryer as a quick way to clean them. However, this will only wear your shoes out faster. Instead, you should scrub them by hand, and make sure you do this straight away. If you leave the dirt to accumulate, you could get to the point of no return.

Protect the soles – It is vital to protect your soles if you want your shoes to last for a long time, as the soles are what take the brunt of the daily beating. You can find a wide range of protectors for all types of shoes. It is definitely worth investing in these.

Purchase quality from the start – Last but not least, you can expect your shoes to last a lot longer if you invest in quality from the very beginning. Shoes that are well-constructed from premium materials will be able to take much more wear and tear.

So there you have it; some top tips to ensure your favourite shoes last longer. Follow the advice mentioned above, and you don’t have to worry about throwing your gorgeous pair of sandals or heels into the bin. From stuffing your shoes with newspaper to using a shoehorn, there are so many little changes you can make that will make a massive difference.

I just got off a crazy 24h work trip and these tips are tried and tested -the best way to look good is to get your sleep when you can- but these tips keep you looking fresh and away even when you could sleep standing up!

A good night’s sleep on a regular basis will keep you looking rejuvenated. However, for those nights when this isn’t possible, there are still options to keep you from looking like a zombie the day after. Here are a few simple tips for beating the puffy eyes.

Feed your fatigue

The right foods for breakfast can energise you and help you to look less drained. Blueberries, apples and tea are great for relaxing arteries and increasing blood flow. This can help return colour to your face and keep you more alert by providing your face and eyes with a fresh source of oxygen.

Cut back on coffee

Whilst a cup of strong coffee will temporarily energise you, too much coffee throughout the day can have the adverse effect. The caffeine will constantly pump your body with adrenalin, which can make you overly alert to the point that you can’t focus on any one thing for too long. Too much caffeine can also trigger the stress hormone cortisol which makes your skin more reactive to spots and allergic reactions. On top of this, too much caffeine throughout the day can affect your sleep the following night – so you could end up back in the exact same situation.

Fix up with a cold flannel

Soaking your face with a cold flannel is an easy way to reduce the puffiness under your eyes. The cold water will constrict blood vessels which cause the bags under our eyes. Do this in the morning and throughout the day and the swelling will be kept at bay.

Clear up your complexion with cosmetics

Many people will choose to mask their tiredness with make-up. Your eyes are the most common place where tiredness shows and where bags appear will depend largely on the shape of your face. Various cosmetics such as V shape face serum can help to hide those bags, taking the shape of you face into account. Special eye creams meanwhile can also have the same effect as a cold flannel.

For bringing colour to a pallid face, blushers and concealers are ideal for the job. Choose warm tones that will give your face that glow, but be aware of going overboard. When considering concealers, peach may look more natural than full-on yellow (obviously dependent on your skin tone).

Finally, you can top of the whole look with a refresher spray that will help to hide any dryness. It’s useful to keep these sprays in the fridge so that they will be cool, helping to bring down the puffiness.

Curl your lashes

Your lashes can also make a huge difference. Curled lashes make your eyes look more open, giving the impression that you’re more awake. Lengthening mascara can also be used on top of this to make your eyes even bigger.

The idea of beauty is as old as mankind. For some, beauty is all about symmetry, especially when it comes to facial symmetry which influences the judgment of aesthetics and physical attractiveness. When it comes to sex appeal, people are more naturally attracted to those who show symmetrical features. But it’s not always the case. More and more individuals describe beauty as the results of asymmetrical features arranged harmoniously. In other words, beauty is a tricky concept to explain. It is something that we all want to feel when we look in the mirror. We want to see beauty, to embrace it and to feel it. We want to be beautiful, even though we find it tricky to describe what beautiful should be. You might have found yourself pointing at a picture in a magazine and calling it beautiful, despite knowing that nothing in the picture is real. But in the end, beauty is how you should feel about yourself. Here’s how to tackle your demons and feel beautiful.

Fashion is the creative expression of your personality. It can be playful; it can be attractive, it can be relaxed. What matters is that it makes you feel positive about yourself. The secret is to dress appropriately for any occasion. What this means is that you will not feel confident if you are overdressed or underdressed. Being appropriate also means that you are less likely to struggle with the strange looks that some people might give you. Additionally, you need to dress comfortably. In other words, while high heels can be a seductive accessory, if you don’t feel confident walking in them, you will not look good wearing them.

Feel In Control Of Your Flaws

Nobody is perfect. You need to know that and to believe it. Nobody, even the girl in the magazine, has the perfect body, the perfect skin or the perfect teeth. Everyone cheats from time to time to keep control of their little flaws. For instance, some girls use makeup foundation to cover bad acne scars. Other hide their bits and bumps with functional underwear. And those who are worried about showing signs of age, use professional facial skin tightening surgery to hide their true age. So it’s important that you understand your flaws and that you find the best way to control them. The only way to be confident about your appearance is to manage effectively the little bits that you feel the most sensitive about.

Feeling beautiful is a feeling that most people don’t allow themselves. It is said to be the reward of hard work. Consequently, you should work on it! If you are not happy with the way your clothes hang on your body, you can exercise to change it. The magic about exercising is that it releases a happy hormone that helps you to relax and feel better about yourself. You’re sweaty, you’re out of breath, and your muscles are sore. But you feel positive about your body. It may not be perfect, but with it’ll get there.